Cut the staves to an even tapered size. Make each end about 4-inches wide on each end and about six-inches wide in the middle. Use about 30 staves to make a barrel.
Fit the staves together using a colombe to hold the staves together.
Place the barrel on a flat metal surface above a large pot of boiling water. Pour boiling water over the staves if you do not have a large pot or flat metal surface. Add additional hoops around the barrel while it is moistened to provide stability and shrink the wood into a tightly seamed shape.
Cut a circle from plywood equaling the inside width of each barrel end. Fit the wood circle into the barrel while the boards are still wet to close the barrel.
Allow the barrel to dry for 24 hours before using it to hold water or other materials.